E53 X5 advice

[Phateuk]

I'm considering an E53 to use as a runaround car, mainly to fit all my golf stuff in easily. Some short trips 1-2 miles, some longer ones probably 3-4k miles a year.

Fuel costs not an issue, Ideally I'd get the 3.0i to avoid the complexity of the diesel model - from what i've read the V8 versions can all be ruinous with complex repairs.

Obviously the era these are from, the majority available near me are 3.0d - I'm not averse to a diesel but I can't seem to find out if these had a DPF. (I'd be looking at an LCI ideally but pre-06 to avoid having another car in the £500+ tax bracket). Can anyone confirm if they have a DPF?

Purchase prices there isn't really much in it at this age now, and MPG isn't relevant either.

Any opinions welcome

[Phateuk]

Thanks for the thoughts so far, I must admit I never knew they did a manual, I'd be wanting an auto in this sort of car anyway really.

I guess being sensible I should just get a much newer estate car for the same money which would fulfil my needs, but I really fancy some sort of SUV

I can't really justify an E70, although I would much prefer one.

Got some thinking (and possibly waiting) to do I guess